Maryland, Baltimore brace for heavy snow

Get your grocery store trips and other errands finished today, because when you wake up Monday, everything will be blanketed in snow.

For days forecasters have been eyeing a weather system to Maryland’s west with the potential to bring widespread, heavy snow to the region. Well, it seems to be happening.

The National Weather Service has placed the entire state under a winter storm warning — most of the Baltimore metro is forecast to see anywhere from 4-10 inches of snow.

Snow totals will depend on the storm’s track, Cody Ledbetter, a meteorologist with the local NWS office, said.

“If it shifts north or south it could be significantly different,” Ledbetter said, adding that snowfall of some kind is guaranteed across the region.

Snowfall should start between 10 p.m. and midnight in the Baltimore metro region. Precipitation should end around midday Monday, and a second band of snow could bring more accumulation Monday evening before clearing out, according to the NWS forecast.

Gov. Wes Moore declared a State of Preparedness in advance of the elevated winter storm threat to Maryland from Sunday through Monday. His office is asking people to avoid unnecessary travel. Local school systems may make the decision to cancel Monday’s classes as early as Sunday evening.

As of Sunday morning, forecasters predict anywhere from 4-9 inches will fall across most of Baltimore city, Baltimore County, Harford County and Carroll County. Portions of Howard, southern Carroll, Montgomery and Anne Arundel counties are forecast to see slightly more.

If the storm shifts north, the heaviest snow could fall in Baltimore. Ledbetter said some spots could see over a foot.

Mayor Brandon Scott declared a snow emergency ahead of the storm’s arrival, and city workers started winterizing some roads on Saturday to prevent ice buildup. The city has more than 450 pieces of snow plowing equipment at its disposal.

Joey Henderson, director of the Baltimore Office of Emergency Management, warned residents on Friday to “take this storm seriously.”

Annapolis officials ordered residents to move cars parked in snow emergency routes by 11 p.m. Sunday. Parking at some city garages will be made free, and residents can leave their vehicles in those garages until the storm ends.

When the snow stops falling Monday it will likely linger on the ground for some time. Freezing temperatures are forecast for the rest of the week.

Residents across the region will likely use energy than normal to heat their homes as a result — which is tough considering Baltimore Gas and Electric Co.’s planned rate hikes.

Cold temperatures also coincide with more house fires, and local officials warned residents not to turn to alternative heating methods, like using one’s oven to heat a room. Kerosene heaters are also illegal indoors in Baltimore city.

This story will update.